Which life insurance riders should you definitely have?

A term plan is the best life insurance policy. It provides an affordable safety net for your family, compared to money-back policies and ULIPs (unit-linked insurance plans) . However, the base cover of the term plan may not be enough. That's where life insurance riders come in. These are add-ons that enhance your coverage by addressing specific risks like accidents, disability or critical illness. But since they are optional, you need to understand which rider you should add to your term insurance policy. So, let's help you make that decision; let's see which riders you should opt for, and which ones are okay to skip. However, let's understand what riders are in a little more detail. What are riders? For a small extra premium, riders offer protection against risks not covered by the base term insurance policy. Think of them as custom features, allowing you to tailor your cover to your needs. For instance, if you add a critical illness rider and are later diagnosed with a listed illness, you receive a lump sum payout even while your term plan continues. The popular riders and what they cover Accidental death benefit: Adds an extra payout (over and above the sum assured) if death is due to an accident. It's useful for those in high-risk jobs or with f

This article was originally published on May 20, 2025.